Deep currents and the eastward salinity tongue in the equatorial Atlantic: Results from an eddy-resolving, primitive equation model.

Böning, Claus W. and Schott, Friedrich (1993) Deep currents and the eastward salinity tongue in the equatorial Atlantic: Results from an eddy-resolving, primitive equation model. Open Access Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 98 (C4). pp. 6991-6999. DOI 10.1029/92JC02815.

[thumbnail of Böning(1993).pdf]
Preview
Text
Böning(1993).pdf - Reprinted Version

Download (6MB) | Preview

Supplementary data:

Abstract

The high-resolution model of the wind-driven and thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic Ocean developed in recent years as a “community modeling effort” for the World Ocean Circulation Experiment is examined for the temporal and spatial structure of the deep equatorial current field and its effect on the spreading of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Under seasonally varying wind forcing, the model reveals a system of basin-wide zonal currents of O(5 cm s−1), alternating east-west, and oscillating at an annual period. The current fluctuations are induced by the seasonal cycle of the wind stress in the equatorial Atlantic and show characteristics of long equatorial Rossby waves with westward phase propagation of about 15 cm s−1. The mean flow in the deep western tropical Atlantic is governed by a deep western boundary current (DWBC) with core velocities of more than 10 cm s−1. Only a small fraction of the DWBC branches off at the equator, with correspondingly low mean eastward currents of only about 1 cm s−1. Despite this weak advection along the equator, a well-developed salinity tongue is observed in the model, which is reminiscent of observed property distributions at the upper NADW level. The model evaluation indicates the salinity pattern to be a result of a balance between mean zonal advection and meridional diffusion of salt. The presence of the zonal current oscillations appears to have no significance for the existence of the salinity tongue.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Deep currents, Eastward salinity tongue, Equatorial Atlantic, Results, Eddy-resolving, Primitive equation model
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-TM Theory and Modeling
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-PO Physical Oceanography
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: AGU (American Geophysical Union)
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2008 17:27
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2018 10:57
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/2529

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item